Searching speeds and the energetic feasibility of an obligate whale-scavenging fish

Two recently published models reach opposite conclusions on the energetic feasibility of a scavenging fish that specialises oil whale carcasses. We argue that the key difference between these models lies in their estimate of the likely searching speed of such a hypothetical scavenger. Neither of the previous models considers that although faster searching will allow food sites to be found more quickly, it will also reduce the time between meals that the fish can survive on its reserves. Hence, we present a novel model that encapsulates this trade-off, and use this model to predict the optimal searching speed for Such a hypothetical scavenger. The model predicts that the optimal speed should increase with mass and be in the range 0.1-0.2 m s(-1) for fish of the range of sizes found for the ubiquitous grenadier Coryphaenoides armatus. These values accord with most estimates of the swimming speeds for this species. Hence, we conclude that rejection of a whale-carcass feeding specialist fish on energetic grounds is premature. Although, we see no reason to dismiss Such a specialist oil energetic grounds, we argue that such a fish will be unlikely oil ecological grounds, although a deep-sea fish that gathered much of its energy from scavenging at relatively large food packages oil the ocean floor should be feasible

What is the pattern of self-harm and prison rule-breaking behaviour in personality disordered offenders in a high secure prison?

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe the pattern of self-harm (SH) and proven prison-rule-breaking (PRB) behaviour in prisoners receiving treatment for personality disorders (PDs) within a high secure prison. Design/methodology/approach – A comparative quantitative case study design supported the understanding of the frequency and pattern of SH and PRB behavior across two stages of a personality disorder (PD) treatment programme for 74 male prisoners. Data obtained from the prison’s records was analysed using dependent t tests, chi square test of independence and time-frequency analyses. Findings – Inferential statistics showed that the frequency of SH and PRB behaviour statistically increased across two phases of the PD treatment programme, however the method of SH or type of PRB behaviour engaged in did not change. Mapping the frequencies of incidents using a time-frequency analysis shows the patterns of both behaviours to be erratic, peaking in the latter phase of treatment, yet the frequency of incidents tended to decline over time. Originality/value – This is the first study to explore SH and PRB behaviours in men across two phases of a PD treatment programme. This study highlights the need for continued psychological support alongside the PD treatment programme with a focus on supporting men in treatment to effectively manage their SH and PRB behaviour

Via Media Alia: Reconsidering the controversial doctrine of universal redemption in thetheology of James Fraser of Brea (1639 - 1699)

James Fraser of Brea’s significance in Scottish theological history stems principally from his controversial doctrine of universal redemption which led to schisms within the Associate Synod and the Reformed Presbytery in the mid-18th century. During those disputes, several assumptions were made concerning his doctrines that have endured, thereby hindering the development of a more objective interpretation of Fraser's thought. Recent scholarship has begun the re-evaluation of his place in the development of Scottish theology and this thesis continues the process by seeking to exonerate Fraser from the unwarranted and reductionist accusations that have hitherto obscured his doctrine of redemption. This thesis advances a new and more accurate interpretation of Fraser’s doctrine of Christ’s redemption. By broadening discussions beyond the single criterion of the scope of Christ’s redemption, it also helps develop a more precise understanding of the fundamental issues of the orthodox Reformed position upon redemption during the 17th century. In order to provide a context for scrutinizing Fraser’s formulations, the debates surrounding the doctrine of redemption throughout the 16th and 17th centuries have been explored. In addition, a systematic evaluation of Fraser’s views on assurance, God’s eternal decrees, federal theology and justifying faith has been undertaken to construct a framework through which a more accurate interpretation of his doctrine of universal redemption has been achieved. Divided into three sections, this thesis begins with two contextualizing chapters. These establish the parameters of this thesis as well as detail several key developments in the doctrine of redemption throughout the 16th and 17th centuries related to determining the proper interpretation of Fraser’s doctrine of universal redemption. Following this introductory section, the second section of this thesis, which constitutes the main body in four chapters, scrutinizes Fraser’s doctrine of redemption in relation to his expressed purpose in writing and his fundamental doctrinal commitments, namely his unwavering fidelity to covenantal absolutism and redemptive particularism. The final section of this thesis is the conclusion, wherein scholars are encouraged to reconsider how they classify the doctrine of redemption and, specifically, how they understand Fraser’s doctrine of redemption in relation to the redemptive theories of his contemporaries. It is commonly recognized that Fraser deviated from the Reformed orthodox norms of the 17th century by arguing for a broader scope of Christ’s redemption, one that included the reprobate as well as the elect. This thesis moves beyond this basic understanding of his theology in two ways. Firstly, it explores why Fraser determined it was necessary to depart from the traditional presentation of Christ’s redemption and secondly it identifies how his adoption of the two-fold design of redemption corresponded to the more foundational theological commitments of his Reformed contemporaries. Since most previous interpretations have run together the three different positions, Fraser’s perspective has been carefully compared and contrasted with the redemptive paradigms proposed by the Arminians and the Hypothetical Universalists. This thesis will challenge such a confusion of theologies, arguing instead that Fraser’s doctrine of redemption truly represents via media alia. In order to fill the gaps left by earlier examinations of Fraser’s theology which concentrated upon his Treatise on Justifying Faith, for the first time equal consideration has been given to all of Fraser’s writings. Even the voluminous doctoral study by Duncan Fraser (1944), proving that Fraser of Brea employed the theme of Christ’s universal redemption throughout his writings, failed to provide an adequate analysis of how Fraser’s doctrine of redemption fitted into his own theological system or into the context of the Reformed community of 17th century Europe. This thesis provides just such an analysis

Nutritional ecology of a marine teleost : maternal maturation diets affect egg and larval composition of Southern Flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma)

Maternally derived nutrients in marine fish yolk play important roles in early larval development. A principal subclass of these nutrients is fatty acids (FAs), which are involved in a variety of key physiological processes related to gene regulation, cellular membrane structure, and energy production. FAs residing in yolk are acquired from maternal sources either immediately prior to spawning (income breeders) or through somatic reserves established from dietary intake well-before spawning (capital breeders). The FA composition of eggs has been previously linked to measures of egg quality and subsequent larval quality. A study was conducted to determine how changes in maturation diets fed to Southern Flounder affect egg composition and egg quality. Differences in egg composition were assessed from broodstock populations fed one of four different diets using gas chromatography. It was found that levels of 20 of 27 FAs measured in eggs had direct positive relationships with amounts of the same FA in the maternal diet when the maternal diet changed at least 16 weeks before spawning. Among the egg quality metrics measured, hatching rate and larval hatching length were most sensitive to differences in maternal diet that produced compositional changes in eggs. A second study had two objectives, to: (1) investigate the relationships among egg and larval composition and maternal diet and egg composition for effects of metabolic programming; and (2) determine how FA composition of the larval body affects larval performance in ecologically relevant survival skills (e.g., routine swimming and predator evasion). Eggs and larvae from the first study were reared until two distinct developmental stages (15- and 35-days post-hatching, dph) and larvae were used in performance assays at each stage. Several FAs found to have direct diet-egg relationships in the first study were found to affect larval body composition at 15-dph (16:1ω7, 20:4ω6, 20:1ω9) and 35-dph (18:1ω7, 20:1ω9, 22:5ω3, 22:6ω3:20:4ω6). Since larvae were all fed the same high-quality diet, the presence of differences in body FA composition in 15- and 35-dph larvae suggests that maternal diet alters egg composition which, in turn, affects lipid metabolism in the larvae, a process known as nutritional programming. Further, several significant relationships were observed between these FAs and larval performance metrics. These studies suggest that maternal diet can have important consequences for egg and larval quality in hatchery settings even when larval diet is of high-quality and proposes several candidate FAs for future studies investigating nutritional programming in Southern FlounderMarine Scienc

The Men’s Safer Sex Trial: a feasibility randomised controlled trial of an interactive digital intervention to increase condom use in men

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine the feasibility of an online randomised controlled trial (RCT) of the Men’s Safer Sex website, measuring condom use and sexually transmitted infection (STI). METHODS: For this study 159 men aged ≥16 with female sexual partners and recent condomless sex or suspected STI were recruited from three UK sexual health clinics. Participants were randomised to the intervention website plus usual clinic care (n = 84), or usual clinic care only (n = 75). Online outcome data were solicited at 3, 6, and 12 months. RESULTS: Men were enrolled via tablet computers in clinic waiting rooms. Software errors and clinic Wi-Fi access presented significant challenges, and online questionnaire response rates were poor (36% at 3 months with a £10 voucher; 50% at 12 months with £30). Clinical records (for STI diagnoses) were located for 94% of participants. Some 37% of the intervention group did not see the intervention website (n = 31/84), and (as expected) there was no detectable difference in condomless sex with female partners (IRR = 1.01, 95% CI 0.52 to 1.96). New acute STI diagnoses were recorded for 8.8% (7/80) of the intervention group, and 13.0% (9/69) of the control group over 12 months (IRR = 0.75, 95% CI 0.29 to 1.90). CONCLUSIONS: It is likely to be feasible to conduct a future large-scale RCT to assess the impact of an online intervention using clinic STI diagnoses as a primary outcome. However, practical and technical challenges need to be addressed before the potential of digital media interventions can be realised in sexual health settings

Impact of Menstrual Phases on Stress Markers: A Pilot Study

PURPOSE: Previous research has shown that different phases of the menstrual cycle may impact biometrics such as markers of stress and inflammation [e.g., cortisol (CORT), interleukin-6] as well as body composition. However, there is scarce literature regarding markers of stress and oxidative stress such as salivary a-amylase (sAA), immunoglobin-A (SIgA) and uric acid (UA), in relation to the four different menstrual phases. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of menstrual phases on sAA, CORT, UA and SIgA. METHODS: 21 pre-menopausal women with regular menstrual cycles (n=9) oral contraceptive users (OC) and (n=12) non-oral contraceptive users (non-OC) recorded baseline cycle dates using the Flo Period Tracker appä. Participants began experimental testing after recording baseline dates, consisting of four total sessions with one session occurring during the 1) menses, 2) late follicular, 3) ovulatory and 4) late luteal phase. Salivary markers: CORT, sAA, UA, and SIgA, along with diastolic and systolic blood pressure (BP), total body water (TBW) and body fat percentage (BF%) were recorded during each phase. BF% and TBW were determined via InBody bioelectric-impedance analyzerä. 500uL of saliva was collected, with samples immediately frozen at -80°C until analysis. Saliva samples were centrifuged at 4°C for a duration of 15 minutes at 1500g prior to analysis and duplicated for CORT, sAA, UA and SIgA concentrations. Statistical procedures were conducted via SAS v 9.4 (Cary, NC). One way repeated measures analysis of variance was used to evaluate outcome measures as well as changes in salivary markers and body composition measurements across different menstrual cycle phases. Fisher’s Least Significant Difference test was used to compare means in the instance of a significant main effect (p \u3c 0.05). Partial eta squared (hp2) was run to determine effect size. RESULTS: sAA concentrations were significantly lower during the follicular phase compared menstruation phase (p = 0.006, ηp2 = 0.14). The main effect for SIgA approached significance (p = 0.05). There were no changes in CORT, UA, BF%, TBW or diastolic and systolic blood pressure. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest the menstrual cycle influences sAA concentrations in both OC users and non-OC users. More research needs to be conducted with a larger sample size in order to determine significance of SIgA in relation to menstrual phases

Lorentz-Violating Electrostatics and Magnetostatics

The static limit of Lorentz-violating electrodynamics in vacuum and in media is investigated. Features of the general solutions include the need for unconventional boundary conditions and the mixing of electrostatic and magnetostatic effects. Explicit solutions are provided for some simple cases. Electromagnetostatics experiments show promise for improving existing sensitivities to parity-odd coefficients for Lorentz violation in the photon sector.Comment: 9 page

The mutual benefit of patient and public involvement in research: an example from a feasibility study (MoTaStim-Foot)

Patient and public involvement (PPI) in research has increased steadily over the last two decades and is now both expected and appropriately resourced by many funding bodies, including the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). However, PPI in research occurs in many different capacities and numerous frameworks exist for reporting or appraising patient involvement activities. The aim of this article is to describe processes involving PPI contributions to an NIHR-funded mixed-methods feasibility study (MoTaStim-Foot). Details of PPI advisors’ input, from initial identification and prioritisation of research ideas, to research delivery and dissemination, are discussed